By Kortney Minnick, Texas contributor
Texas show choir will have a historic weekend - it is the first time in history that there will be two competitions on the same weekend in the Lone Star State.
On Thursday, the North Texas Show Choir Invitational (NTSCI) will take place, hosted by Mansfield Legacy Silver Elite. NTSCI began in 2016 with only six groups attending - there are now 19 groups on the schedule for this year's edition.
Reigning champions Bell System from LD Bell High School are going up against ensembles such as Coppell Vivacé, Arlington Choraliers and Rouse IntoneNation. This competition is also bringing in a new competitor, Dynamicz from Glenn High School. Dynamicz is a third-year competitive show choir under the direction of Theresa Killingsworth and Colby Schultz. Previously, they only competed at Rouse Capital City Showcase. Glenn and Rouse are both part of Leander ISD, meaning two schools from the Austin area will make the trip up to DFW for the competition.
Bell System, the reigning champion, and Vivace, who placed fourth last year, are the only returning groups of last year's top six.
Furthermore, the Dallas area will see another competition this weekend. The HEB Invitational, hosted by L.D. Bell, will hold its inaugral edition on Saturday. The arrival of HEB, along with the new Southlake Showdown, is widely anticipated - the Texas circuit has needed new competitions for years. Bell has brought in 20 groups for its contest, including six groups from out of state.
The best of the best will be in attendance, including all three groups from Jenks (Oklahoma), Keller Central Voices of Central, Fort Worth Southwest Effect, and more. Similar to NTSCI, a new ensemble will also debut at HEB. Melissa High School presents Scarlet Soundwave, a first-year program directed by Victoria Kensek. She previously directed a show choir at Unity High School in Illinois, bringing prior experience to the program. Melissa will also be competing at Keller Central Lone Star Invitational at the beginning of next month.
Can Bell repeat as champion at NTSCI? Who will be the first grand champion of HEB? How tired will everyone be after this first double-competition weekend? However many questions there may be, all will be answered by the time everything is said and done. Good luck to all performers this weekend!
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